GURUGRAM: The National Highways Authority of India’s decision to cut 2,000 fully grown trees in Faridabad for the construction of a new ring road from DND flyover to Sohna and interchange to connect the Delhi-Vadodra Mumbai Expressway, has left green activists miffed.
The activists have written to NHAI asking them to either divert the route or transplant the trees in Aravalis. They alleged that Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) has already cut 800 trees without planning to transplant them and another 1,200 trees are likely to be cut in the next few days.
“The authorities are working without knowing the ground reality. Even as pollution is at its peak, Aravalis and grown trees are being destroyed. We cannot afford to lose the trees as it would severely impact the overall air quality. Gurugram and Faridabad are already among the most polluted cities in the country,” said Jitendra Bhadana, founder of Save Aravali Trust.
NHAI had asked HSVP to allot hold-free land, for which the department started felling trees near Kaili mod in Ballabhgarh. For the other side, the highways authority has sent a proposal to the Haryana forest department and is waiting for its approval.
According to officials, around 1200 trees need to be removed from the left side of the road where the project has been planned. Divisional forest officer Raj Kumar confirmed that a proposal has been received and the process is on.
“After the construction, we will plant around 7,000-8,000 trees on both sides of the flyover,” said Dheeraj Kumar, NHAI official.